BATTLES IN THE AIR

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 December 1939, Page 7

BATTLES IN THE AIR

s. NORTH SEA ENCOUNTERS GIANT DORNIERS DEFEATED [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] (Received December 8, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, December 7. Enemy aircraft over the North Sea, on Wednesday, attempted to intercept isolated patrols of the coastal command of the R.A.F. In two encounters. it is reported that the enemy machines. giant Dornier flying-boats, were beaten off, and badly damaged. One coastal command aircraft -was far out from its base, north of the Heligoland Bight, when it sighted a Dornier prowling for prey, air 91- seaborne. To secure a position for himself for effective attack, the British pilot made an almost vertical climb, then turned, and fired on the beam of the enemy, his machine-gun plastering the Dornier with lead at each dive. After the third attack, the British pilot climbed to 2000 feet and carried out another attack on the enemy s tail. One long burst was seen to enter around the engines and the main plane, and the crippled German aircraft sought refuge in the mist and low cloud, to limp towards its base. The second encounter took place 200 miles from land, when a coastal command aircraft sighted a Dornier, and for half an hour pursued it in and out of the clouds, making six attacks, and pouring round after round of ammunition into its adversary. With its rear gun out of action, and oil fuel pouring out from both sides, the Dornier made off, swaying, into the clouds. The British pilot considers it very doubtful whether the enemy plane would reach its base. GERMAN COMMUNIQUE.

LONDON, December 7. According to a Berlin message, a war communique mentions an air battle west of Texel, in which British and German machines collided and fell into the sea; also German reconnaissance flights over England, Scotland, and the Shetland Islands. “During the evening, British aeroplanes flew five times towards Schles-wig-Holstein. Anti-aircraft fire compelled the enemy to turn northwards, in an attempt to escape across Denmark. No bombs were dropped.” BRITISH PLANE MISSING. LONDON, December 7. An Air Ministry communique states: The Royal Air Force engaged the enemy several times over the North Sea, yesterday. One of our patrolling planes has not returned. It is believed that it may be the plane mentioned in the German communique as colliding with a German plane, both falling into the sea. FLIGHT OVER GERMANY. LONDON, December 7. The German radio announced that strong Royal Air Force units flew over the Frisian Islands and SchleswigHolstein to-night. German anti-air-craft batteries went into action at many points and drove off the planes. No bombs were dropped. The Air Ministry announces that the Royal Air Force successfully carried out a flight over North Germany last evening. It denies the German statement that the British machines flew home over Danish territory. FIRTH OF FORTH RAID. NAZI PLANES DRIVEN OFF. LONDON, December 7. It is officially announced that eight Nazi planes were involved in a raid over the Firth of Forth. The raid was driven off. and one enemy machine appeared to be hit. No bombs were dropped. Fighters, after driving off eight Nazi pianos, encountered two others off the north-east coast, fl'he enemy turned back, and were pursued out to sea. One was seen to have been hit. Heavy gunfire was heard along the coast. R.A.F. CASUALTY LIST. (Recd. December 8, 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, December 7. The Air Ministry casualty list No. 13 is as follows: Killed in action, two. Previously reported missing, now killed in action, five. Previously reported missing and believed killed, now killed in action, one. Killed on active service, 25. Missing, two. Missing, and believed killed, one. Died on active service, 12.

j The list includes the following New Zealanders: — I Pilot Officer D. C. R. Carter, of Elthain. and Pilot Officer 11. K. A. Drum- ! tnond. of Reefion. Roth were killeti | on active service. 1 BOMBERS FOR N.Z. ! LONDON. December 7. I 'l'he pre-war mobile flight of officers (and airmen of the New Zealand Air i Force formed here are Io fly Welling- * ton bombers to New Zealand, whose {Government, in its declaration of war. 'placed the New Zealand personnel and .machines at the disposal of Britain. I The question of forming a new Zealand squadron in the R.A.F. is now being considered.